Friday, November 28, 2008

Lidded Punch Bowl and Ladle

The Art Nouveau design movement was well under way by 1900 when the Lidded Punch Bowl and Ladle was designed. The buildings that were designed in the earlier years of Art Nouveau, such as Casa Batlló and other building designed by Antoni Gaudi, influenced architectural design world wide and also the wide range of art and design areas. The punch bowl is a decorative art piece designed by the German company Würtemburgische Metalwarren Fabrik which has designed many similar punch bowls that are in the Art Nouveau style that reside all throughout the world. While the Art Nouveau architecture influenced the world by marking the land and being known internationally, not everyone had seen the style first hand. The decorations and art influenced by the architecture were tangible objects that potentially anyone could have in their home or have seen it elsewhere. Not only did the early architecture that was designed before the Lidded Punch Bowl and Ladle influence the rest of the Art Nouveau period, the punch bowl itself, and others like it, influenced design as well. Organic curved plant like forms are very common in this style. Colored glass is also something that is an Art Nouveau signature element that is repeated throughout the Art Nouveau time period.

While the Casa Batlló is located in Barcelona, Spain there are many other places in Spain, some by Gaudi, that the punch bowl could be located. Spain seems to be an ideal home for this punch bowl.


compare: Much like the Lidded Punch Bowl and Ladle, Leah’s Mantel Clock is a decorative Art Nouveau piece that serves as decoration as well as serving a purpose. Both have free flowing curves and can be located in any home to add some interest.

contrast: Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann's dressing table is placed in Southern California which is not a likely place for an Art Nouveau punch bowl.

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